INEC boss urges media to ensure accurate election reporting

From the left: The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Dayo Oketola; the author and Chairman of the INEC Press Corps, Segun Ojumu; the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan; the Director VEP, Victoria Eta-Messi, at the book launch held in Abuja on Friday. Photo credit: Gift Habib

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The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, on Friday cautioned that Nigeria’s electoral processes remain vulnerable to misinformation, while acknowledging the vital role of journalists in election coverage.

Speaking at the public presentation of The INEC Press Corps: Chronicles of Nigeria’s Election Journalists at The Electoral Institute in Abuja, Amupitan described the book, authored by INEC Press Corps Chairman Segun Ojumu, as a “comprehensive documentation of the sacrifices, risks, and behind-the-scenes experiences of reporters covering Nigeria’s complex electoral landscape.”

He highlighted the growing importance of the press corps, particularly with political tensions rising ahead of the 2026 electoral calendar, including the FCT Area Council elections and Ekiti and Osun governorship polls.

“Journalists are indispensable links between the commission’s operations and the voting public,” he said, citing their crucial role during the Anambra governorship election and the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

Amupitan warned that misinformation, misinterpretation, and deliberate distortion can undermine even the strongest electoral systems.

He urged journalists to rely on official INEC channels for verification and stressed that public trust, not technology, ultimately determines electoral credibility.

“Our official website and digital platforms are authoritative sources. The era of relying on rumours must end,” he said, calling for cooperation to combat electoral malpractice such as vote-buying and rigging.

The INEC chairman concluded by thanking Ojumu and the press corps for documenting electoral processes, emphasising that elections are remembered for transparency and unity when media coverage is responsible.

Author Segun Ojumu described his book as a tribute to the courage and evolution of Nigeria’s electoral press corps. “This is a history of courage,” he said, highlighting the need for journalists to adapt to technological changes and analyse real-time data. He urged continuous training and resilience, stressing that democracy thrives when media workers are protected.

The event was attended by key stakeholders, including the representative of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Yusuf Dantalle; FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner Aminu Idris; and senior INEC officials.

In recent years, misinformation has increasingly challenged Nigeria’s electoral environment, forcing INEC to adopt proactive strategies, including real-time digital updates and engagement with journalists, to safeguard public trust.’

The PUNCH journalist, Gift, has over three years of experience covering elections, security and foreign affairs.

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